By Emily Christensen

When Rick Willis, as the director of athletics, is leading the search for a new coach, he looks for someone with a history of success in their sport and an understanding of the balance between athletics and academics. When Willis, as Wartburg’s head football coach, seeks players for his team, he looks for young men who are committed athletes and serious students. He expects the men and women he’s hired to coach Wartburg’s 21 other sports to do the same.

“Environment plays such a key role. When you are surrounded by many others with the mindset of being a quality student and a successful athlete, it makes it easier for you to do both,” Willis said. “We establish high expectations early on and reinforce that with the appropriate support along with policies that limit the amount of class time a student can miss.”

The results at Wartburg are clear. In 2017-18, 12 teams qualified for their respective NCAA tournament or championship. On the academic side, the college boasts 104 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, putting Wartburg in second place behind conference newcomer Nebraska Wesleyan and solidly ahead of third-place Luther. To be nominated, a student must be a starter or important reserve on their team with at least a 3.3 cumulative GPA. CoSIDA members then vote at the district level, and First-team All-District selections advance to the national ballot.

The Knights also have 41 NCAA Postgraduate Scholars, just one behind Luther College.

“We want to send a clear message to our student-athletes that they can achieve at a high level both academically and athletically,” Willis said. “They can do both; there are many examples both past and present of student-athletes doing that on this campus.”

Where are they now?

These alumni showed their mettle as students and athletes during their Wartburg days. Today, they are making the world a better place as a doctor, lawyer, and environmental advocate.

Kathryn Wendt ’12
Psychology, Soccer
Attorney, Ballard Spahr LLP

Kyle Duchman ’08
Biology, Football
Orthopaedic sports medicine fellow, Duke University

Jenny Kordick ’10
Biology, Track and field
Director of advocacy, The Wilderness Society